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Mercury toxicokinetics--dependency on strain and gender
Jimmy Ekstrand1, Jesper B Nielsen, Said Havarinasab
1Molecular and Immunological Pathology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, SE-58185 Linköping, Sweden.
Toxicology and Applied Pharmacology
|September 8, 2009
Summary
Mercury (Hg) exposure varies in individuals due to genetic differences in toxicokinetics. Some mouse strains and genders show higher Hg accumulation, particularly in kidneys, indicating genetic factors influence mercury
Area of Science:
- Environmental toxicology
- Genetics
- Pharmacokinetics
Background:
- Mercury (Hg) exposure from dental amalgams and vaccines is a public health concern.
- Individual susceptibility to mercury toxicity is influenced by toxicokinetics.
- Genetic factors and gender may play a role in mercury accumulation and toxicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of genetic factors and gender on mercury toxicokinetics.
- To identify the role of specific organs in mercury retention and elimination.
- To understand the heritability of mercury accumulation traits.
Main Methods:
- Exposure of inbred mouse strains (A.SW, B10.S) and their hybrids to mercury chloride (HgCl2) in drinking water.
- Monitoring of whole-body mercury retention (WBR) and organ mercury content.
- Assessment of mercury elimination and accumulation differences based on strain, gender, and generation (F1, F2).
Main Results:
- A.SW male mice exhibited significantly higher WBR and renal mercury accumulation compared to females and B10.S mice.
- Renal mercury accumulation showed strain- and gender-dependent differences, regulated by non-H-2 genes.
- A.SW mice displayed slower mercury elimination, with kidneys playing a key role.
- Mercury accumulation traits were not dominantly inherited in F1 hybrids, and F2 mice showed significant inter-individual variation.
Conclusions:
- Genetic factors and gender significantly influence mercury toxicokinetics and accumulation in mice.
- Kidney function is crucial for mercury elimination, and variations can lead to slower clearance.
- The observed genetic variability in mice suggests a similar wide range of mercury toxicokinetics in the human population.
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